FUNimation Entertainment enters into distribution deal with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

It isn't likely to have any direct impact upon the UK industry, but yesterday saw an interesting announcement come from FUnimation Entertainment in the US that could see some significant changes to the way their products are distributed.

In short, the company has entered into a multi-year deal with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, who will be handling distribution for the company's home video releases moving forward. It appears that this deal is designed to allow FUNimation themselves to focus on acquisitions and other areas of their business, such as digital distribution and co-productions, while Universal Pictures' input will potentially expand the scope of where their home video products will be available for purchase.

For more details, check out the full press release from PR Newswire below:

FLOWER MOUND, Texas, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- FUNimation Entertainment and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) have reached an exclusive multi-year distribution services agreement. Universal will manage distribution of FUNimation's entire DVD and Blu-ray portfolio, as well as sales to many national retailers in the U.S. and Canada.  John Morici, Managing Director -- U.S. and Canada, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, and Mike DuBoise, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, FUNimation, jointly made the announcement today.

This agreement will allow FUNimation, North America's anime market share leader, to continue delivering on its commitment to serve anime fans everywhere and to expand its leadership in home entertainment. "Pairing Universal's 'best-in-class' home entertainment distribution infrastructure with FUNimation's superior anime properties, along with our marketing, production, and fan engagement capabilities, effectively positions our companies for enduring success," said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and founder of FUNimation. "We believe this new strategic agreement will create an important opportunity for us to strengthen our physical distribution business." 

"We're excited to partner with FUNimation, the premier anime company in both the United States and Canada. They have a proven track record for marketing a compelling slate of titles as evidenced with such recent releases as 'Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods,' 'Attack on Titan,' 'Cowboy Bebop,' 'Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign,' and their upcoming theatrical release of 'Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F','" said Morici.  "We are pleased to enter into a distribution services partnership with this talented group and look forward to our collaboration."

"As the home entertainment industry continues to evolve, this agreement will create greater scale and opportunities for us across our physical distribution business, resulting in meaningful benefits," said DuBoise. "It also allows us to double down on our efforts to acquire and co-produce shows, build brands for our partners, improve fan experiences at every touch-point, and further develop digital distribution capabilities."

FUNimation Entertainment's library spans over 400 anime and live-action titles; including gems for the most serious anime fans as well as those just discovering anime.  It includes key franchises such as Dragon Ball, Attack on Titan, Cowboy Bebop, and Tokyo Ghoul; in addition to critically acclaimed movies such as "Summer Wars," "Wolf Children," "Akira," and the soon-to-be-released "The Boy and the Beast."

About Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

About FUNimation® Entertainment 
FUNimation® Entertainment is the leading anime company in North America and a subsidiary of Group 1200 Media. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands. The company manages a full spectrum of rights for most of their brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, Internet, and home video sales and distribution. Its content is released across traditional and digital distribution channels, including theatrical exhibition, physical and digital home entertainment, as well as paid and free subscription on-demand services. For more information about FUNimation Entertainment and its brands, visit www.funimation.com.

About Group 1200 Media
Group 1200 Media, a fully integrated, next-generation independent entertainment studio, is the parent holding company of FUNimation Entertainment, Giant Ape Media, and Group 1200 Consumer Products, and a market leader in the acquisition, creation, production, distribution, licensing, and marketing of a wide-ranging anime, TV and movie slate. The company's three subsidiaries encompass curated content, services, and consumer products aligned to distinct genres and audiences. For more information, visitwww.group1200.com.